Tennis players face early tests

The Wachusett boys’ tennis team swept visiting Doherty, 5-0, in its home and season opener on March 30, but the true test on just how far this team may go in 2012 comes this week.

That’s because perennial powerhouses

St. John’s and Shrewsbury, who may be the two most feared opponents on the

Mountaineers schedule, are both on the docket.

Last year’s squad dropped a heartbreaking 4-1 decision to host Shrewsbury in the semifinal round of the district tournament. The loss ended the season with an impressive 16-6 record and just short of some lofty goals set by the team at the beginning of the season.

The team lost a pair of standout starters from the team that finished the 2011 season. Seniors Dave Lowenthal and number two doubles player Zach Eslami have graduated. The team also lost seniors Randy Saari and Sam Greil to graduation.

But this year’s squad boasts strong and talented returnees along with up-and-coming younger players, raising high hopes for a promising season. The team will be led by a trio of senior captains: Dillon George, Kyle Skagerlind and Chris Sampson.

(Right) Dillon George (Left) Chris Sampson
Joyce Roberts photos George, a starter since freshman year, is fourth in career singles wins in WRHS history, trailing the all-time record by just 11 matches coming into the season. Tying or exceeding the record is well within possibility and his pursuit will be fun to watch.

Skagerlind was the number one doubles player in 2011 and will likely team with freshman Kasrah Eslami in the same role this year. Twelfth-year head coach Tony Brissette describes Skagerlind as having made “giant leaps and bounds in talent level.” He has been hampered by rotator cuff problems and has experimented with an underhand serve, something not seen often in advanced levels of tennis.

“So far, the new serve has worked well for Kyle,” Brissette explained. “It has a unique spin and opposing players are not used to it. I’m not sure if he’ll be going with this all season, but for now it’s been fine.”

Brissette is also impressed with senior captain Chris Sampson, whose powerful lefty serve will keep opponents off balance in singles matches. Brissette describes Sampson as having a “good all-around net game” that has earned him a top singles role along with George.

Also returning are juniors Will Meyers, Jonathan Sawin, David Sweet, Ben Rivers, Caleb Grolman and Minh Nguyen. Sawin and Sweet are projected to be the team’s number two doubles tandem, while the remaining juniors will mix and match in doubles competition.

A nucleus of promising sophomores will also be called upon and see ample court time.

Mike Sampson, Mike Adams, Nick Wiles, Jack Pendleton, Owen Harrington, Anthony Belcufine and Harry Lowenthal will all be counted on. Wiles was the team’s number three singles player a year ago, and is projected to return in that same role. Adams and Meyers will be contending for the number three doubles tandem. Mike Sampson is recovering from a broken arm and will come along slowly, hoping for a return to form in midseason.

“Injuries to Kyle (Skagerkind) and Mike (Sampson) have hurt us, no doubt,” Brissette said. “But we have a strong team with seniors who have shown strong leadership skills to the underclassmen. I’m confident we’ll make districts again this year, but our goal is a Mid-Wach championship. I think we have the players to do it. It should be a fun season to watch.”